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No dry-erase boards: An ER doctor discusses using our anatomy reference with his patients

Posted on Mon, Mar 09, 2015 @ 11:16 AM by Lori Levans

Meet Dr. Brennen Beatty. He’s an ER physician in Austin, TX.

In recent months, he’s changed the way he talks to patients about their diagnosis. The old way was to tell them what was going on and hope they understood what he was talking about. The new way? Show and tell them using Visible Body’s Human Anatomy Atlas, a visual anatomy reference.

When did you start using Human Anatomy Atlas?

I started using Visible Body’s Atlas on my iPhone just recently—and I’ve kicked myself for not using it earlier. I use Atlas to quickly help patients visualize and understand their diagnosis. This technology helps me improve patient experience, compliance with treatment plans, and my overall efficiency.

Do you find that most of your patients understand their own anatomy?

Not exactly. One out of five Americans are seen every year in the ER and the bulk of patients don’t understand their own anatomy and physiology. To help them understand, patients want to see something. We’re visual animals.

How do they react when you use Atlas?

When I show Atlas on my iPhone my patients become wide-eyed with understanding.

What did you do to help illustrate a point before using Atlas?

Previously I found myself constantly using the dry-erase board in the ER to draw crude anatomy. Or if there was a rolling laptop cart in the room, I’d Google an image. If a patient presented with vertigo and dizziness, for example, I’d call up a picture of the inner ear to explain that connection.

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